Holding Hands

Our Little Angel

Dec 5 thru Dec 14

Another big week for miss Rylee! She's still doing pretty well for being such a tiny little girl. She's had a few ups and downs this last week or so but is still plugging right along. Here are a few big moments since our last update:

Rylee got a visit from the big man himself, SANTA (and Mrs Clause)!

It's official: Rylee's on the GOOD List.

Mommy got to HOLD Rylee for the first time! She was such a good girl. She snuggled in her blankie and held mommy's finger, and peeked at mom from under her little hat. She liked being held so much that she protested going back into her isolette! Daddy wasn't able to be there because he thought he might be getting sick (he got to hold her the next time, a few days later).

Rylee is showing a little more personality and "voicing" her opinions. Her nurse says she has decided she doesn't like her CPAP very much (she gets hold of it with both hands and tugs as hard as she can!), and she apparently isn't a fan of having a wet diaper (who can blame her?).

She had a rough night on Tuesday (she had more episodes of apnea and bradycardia than usual and just wasn't looking or acting her sweet self), so she got a blood transfusion, which did wonders! By the next day she was back to herself, breathing better and being less fussy.

FYI: That same night she also lost her umbilical cord (at 2 o'clock in the morning)!

She's still tolerating her feedings very well, and has gained 5 ounces over her birth weight (as of Sunday, December 13th she weighs in at a whopping 2 lbs 5 oz!!)

Her biggest issue seems to be remembering to breath, which is very typical for a baby born as early as she was. Her doctors and nurses are keeping a close eye on her and helping her out when she needs it. They say it's frustrating to see her have her ups and downs with her breathing, but it just takes time and when she's ready she'll let us know! So far she's done VERY well and all her tests have come back normal! We are all just taking it a day at a time, and enjoying the time we get to spend with her and missing her when we are away!

Tiny Hands!

Snug As A Bug

Rylee's First Week

Our little Rylee has done so well her first week!

Here's a just a few of her accomplishments:

*Graduated from ventilator to CPAP on her 2nd day (she's only getting a little help to breathe)

*Passed her echo with flying colors (her heart is looking good and working like it should)

*The ultrasound of her head was totally clean (no brain bleeds, yea!)

*She's using mommy's milk to gain weight

(her tummy is working, lots more poopy diapers!)

*No infections (she gets to stop her antibiotics)

*Her feedings are going so well she doesn't need her PICC line anymore! (Less risk for infection)

Other happy moments this week:

*Daddy's first diaper change!

*Mommy's first diaper change

*Grandma and Grandpa Barnes came to visit

(Grandpa wants to know where her socks are!!)

*Grandma Jones came to visit (Can't believe she's soooo tiny!)

*Cousin Danelle got a quick peek

*Held mommy's finger while she slept (Precious!)

Lance and I and little Rylee are all doing well. We just want to say

thank you for all the thoughts and prayers, concerned phone calls, cards/letters, beautiful flowers, words of encouragement, and for everyone's willingness to help however they can!

We appreciate all that you've done and we love you all. Thank you so much!!